Some fish require little introduction. Instantly recognized even by newbie fishkeepers and regarded as a high-value species by
Read More about Keeping the Purple Tang
Captive Bred Fish
The last decade has seen enormous advancements in the culture of marine ornamental fish. It might seem as though there is some announcement of the first-time rearing of some new species every other day now. Aside from the obvious benefits for the natural environment, this trend has been a significant boon for saltwater aquarists from beginner to expert. It should be immediately obvious why; frankly any animal raised in captivity is going to be more adapted to captive conditions.
Imagine a wild fish, just minding its own business, swimming around in the ocean, doing its thing like countless ancestors before it. Then, out of nowhere comes the net (or in some cases a mini spear gun!). This may or may not be preceded by a shot of sodium cyanide (you never really know for sure). The fish is crowded into a holding tank with many other fish and eventually transported to a holding facility. Then to another. And perhaps another. But then, some number of days later, there is the big day—the big flight. It may or may not have eaten by then. So it might already be hungry, but it certainly won’t be eating during this trip. After a day, or two, or maybe even three, of wallowing in its own wastes and choking for oxygen, it arrives somewhere. By then the pH is dangerously low… the transport water may be extremely warm, or cold…
And just when it needs relief more than ever, now comes the worst part: unboxing and acclimation. It has spent days in total darkness, only to be blinded suddenly by bright light and jerked from the box. It’s stressed, panicking even. Then shocked as it is immersed in water of very different chemistry, something it has never had to cope with before it its ever stable ocean home. Home… not what it seems as it is finally netted again (not again!) and plunked into--a tiny glass box. A miniscule, rough representation of where it grew up. Exhausted and shaken, it’s now an easy victim for the pathogens and parasites it was exposed to in the numerous holding systems along the way. And it does get sick. But will it survive?
Maybe the above narrative is a bit dramatic. But that is essentially the reality for a wild-caught fish. Contrast that with a farmed fish, raised from a larva in the same glass box. Already adapted to a life in captivity. Adapted to aquarium food. Accustomed to a human, even with a hand in the tank. It’s hard to frighten such an animal, which is more likely to start begging for food at your approach. Certainly, it is comparatively very rare for a captive bred fish to contract and spread diseases. Especially if you’ve worked in aquarium shops or hatcheries, the difference between wild and cultured fish is day and night.
In this section you will learn the differences between wild and cultured fish, with in-depth information on select captive bred species.
72 Posts
An Overview of the Filefishes
In the Age of the Reef Tank, many cool (but not reef-safe) saltwater fish families that were once extremely population are now relative
Read More about An Overview of the Filefishes
Keeping a Coldwater Marine Aquarium
Marine aquarists have always had access to temperate species. In fact, in the days before improved packaging/shipping procedures
Read More about Keeping a Coldwater Marine Aquarium
4 Tangs For Beginners
Tangs are very common in larger aquariums because of their constant movement along with their stunning color. That being said, no tang
Read More about 4 Tangs For Beginners
3 Symbiotic Relationships in the Marine Aquarium
Symbiotic relationships are perhaps the most amazing thing that occurs in marine environments. While there are some that you can
Read More about 3 Symbiotic Relationships in the Marine Aquarium
Keeping the Seale’s Cardinalfish
We reef aquarists are a bit spoiled when it comes to jaw-dropping livestock. Weird stuff, colorful stuff… and just the shear diversity
Read More about Keeping the Seale’s Cardinalfish
Link’s Gobies in the Refugium
With perhaps 20,000 fish species inhabiting our planet, it’s hard to imagine that we’ve already fully explored the potential for each
Read More about Link’s Gobies in the Refugium
Get Your Gobies: The Perfect Marine Nano Tank Fish
There are all sorts of things that make some aquarium fish more desirable than others, for beginners in particular. Yes, yes, color is
Read More about Get Your Gobies: The Perfect Marine Nano Tank Fish
4 Gobies For Beginners
There are hundreds of different goby species, and they all require all kinds of diets and housing. This list names the top four gobies
Read More about 4 Gobies For Beginners
3 Most Expensive Saltwater Fish
Certain fish species are considered to be "Holy Grails" in the marine aquarium hobby. These are hardly ever seen in tanks around the
Read More about 3 Most Expensive Saltwater Fish
4 Underrated Saltwater Fish
When looking at fish for beginners, you are usually going to see the same fish recommended repeatedly. This list is for the people who
Read More about 4 Underrated Saltwater Fish
What Clownfish Is Best For My Aquarium?
There are many different species of clownfish to choose from! Some look very different from others. Some are hardier than others. And,
Read More about What Clownfish Is Best For My Aquarium?
5 Overlooked Algae-Eaters
When it comes to your clean-up crew in your saltwater aquarium, you usually will think of snails, crabs and starfish. However, there
Read More about 5 Overlooked Algae-Eaters
An Overview of the Mandarin Goby
The BIOTA mandarin goby (or mandarin dragonet) is one of the most vibrant and sought after fish in this hobby. There are actually two
Read More about An Overview of the Mandarin Goby
3 Beginner Saltwater Aquarium Fish
When you first set up your aquarium the first thing that comes to your mind is "What are good beginner fish?” Before jumping to that,
Read More about 3 Beginner Saltwater Aquarium Fish
4 Captive Bred Fish For Beginners
As years go by, more and more fish in this industry have been successfully captive bred, by incredible companies such as BIOTA . This
Read More about 4 Captive Bred Fish For Beginners
Three Great Hacks for AlgaeBarn Simple Brine
For about a century, brine shrimp (Artemia spp.) have been among the most important of all aquarium foods. Not only are they extremely
Read More about Three Great Hacks for AlgaeBarn Simple Brine
Four Great Nano Saltwater Fish
Keeping nano saltwater fish tanks is challenging due to their inherent complications. For example, it is much harder to keep the
Read More about Four Great Nano Saltwater Fish
A Look at the Banded Pipefish
So many marine aquarium fishes can be exciting to watch; some are big and belligerent, some are beefy and bullish, some are lightning
Read More about A Look at the Banded Pipefish
Keeping the Striped Blenny (Meiacanthus grammistes)
There are a lot of blennioid fishes--something to the tune of like 900 species in 151 genera. Lots and lots of these are available
Read More about Keeping the Striped Blenny (Meiacanthus grammistes)